Free Zone services

We offer a variety of licences to suit different business needs. Here’s a quick overview:

• Commercial: Allows businesses to operate specific commercial activities such as importing, exporting, selling, distributing and storing items listed on their licence.
• General Trading: Covers a wide range of commercial activities across industries, enabling businesses to trade goods without specialising specific categories.
• Holding Company: Designed for entities managing assets and subsidiaries, allowing ownership and control without engaging in daily operations or direct commercial activities.
• Service: Ideal for service-oriented businesses such as consultancy, hospitality, event management and educational or financial services.
• E-Commerce: Enables businesses to buy and sell goods or services online, including managing online purchasing platforms.
• Logistics: Covers activities such as storage, transportation, distribution, order management and inventory handling.
• Industrial: For light manufacturing activities, including packaging and assembly of items.
• Business: Combines multiple categories under a single licence, allowing businesses to operate diverse activities such as service and commercial operations.
• Dual Licence Service: Provides flexibility to operate under two licences—one issued by Expo City Dubai Authority and another by Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET)—from the same address within Expo City Dubai.

Our agents can help you find the right solution for your business goal. Chat to us on Whatsapp

We offer the following permits to meet various business and professional needs:

Short-term Business Operation Permit (BOP): For companies with a valid Dubai mainland licence looking to operate temporarily at Expo City Dubai. This permit covers commercial and non-commercial activities, including events, food trucks, pop-up stores, market stalls and kiosks. Duration ranges from one day to 12 months.

Short-term Events Operation Permit (EOP): For companies with a Dubai mainland licence that want to host or participate in events and activations (commercial or non-commercial) at Expo City Dubai. Duration ranges from one day to 12 months.

Freelance Permit: Designed for individual professionals who wish to work independently. It includes a simplified process and eligibility for a UAE Residence Visa.

Our agents can help you find the right solution for your business goal. Chat to us on Whatsapp

ECDA offers an extensive range of more than 180 services, from business setup packages, short-term operation permits (from 1 day to 12 months), freelance permits for professional individuals, special permits for commercial food and beverage operations, employment and business visit visa services as well as documentation services.

Leasing a space is required to obtain an ECD licence or permit, except for Freelance Permits, where leasing a space is optional.

Capital investment is dependent on the type of licence that a client wishes to establish. Please contact CRC@expocitydubai.ae for more information.

An ECD licence continuation refers to the transfer of an established company ⁄ organisation from one free zone to another while maintaining its business history and establishment date.

The name on the Freelance Permit must align with the individual's passport information and cannot be substituted with a company name.

An ECD ID is a mandatory identifier that every employee of an ECD-licensed entity must obtain (in digital and/or physical form) and present upon request during inspections by ECDA law enforcement officers to ensure business compliance.

The employee allocation determines the number of employees an ECD-licensed entity is permitted to employ. It is calculated based on the leased space, taking into consideration the business activity, layout of the premises and considerations related to health and safety. Employee visas and all ECD IDs - including those issued to non-sponsored employees, contractors and consultants - all count towards the employee allocation.